Game Balls: Top high school sports performances

Jaylon Bester

Bester had a 99-yard touchdown run and an 85-yard kickoff return Friday in Althoff’s 59-26 South Seven Conference win over previously unbeaten Centralia. The speedy junior finished with 189 yards rushing on eight carries.

Bailey Bohnenstiehl and Kate Dumstorff

The No. 1 doubles pair at O’Fallon High School is ascending toward No. 1 in area and, maybe, the state. Bohnenstiehl and Dumstorff improved to 17-4 overall with wins last week over the No. 1 teams from Belleville East, Alton and Rock Island. Their effort helped the Panthers finish 3-1 at the Southern Illinois duals Friday and Saturday.

Ken Dixon and Jack Lanxon

Dixon had a 74-yard interception return for a touchdown in the second quarter Saturday and Lanxon returned one 48 yards for another defensive TD as Belleville West stunned East St. Louis 35-26.

Nick Foster

A senior linebacker, Nick Foster was simply all over the field to lead the Maroons second straight upset win over the Flyers. Foster tipped a pass which was intercepted by teammate Kenneth Dixon and returned for a touchdown in the first half. Foster added a 1-yard plunge in the third quarter for the Maroons who improve to 3-0 in the Southwestern Conference.

Damien James

Metro-East Lutheran is still looking for its first win, but quarterback Damien James had a big night Friday in a 35-20 Prairie State Conference loss to Nokomis. James was 8-for-12 passing for 250 yards and three TDs and found favorite target Jyvaun WIlson three times for 148 yards and two TDs.

Riley Jones

The Edwardsville quarterback is known for his mobility, but showed Friday in a key conference win over East that he can also be an efficient passer. He completed 12 of 19 passes for 201 yards and a touchdown in the 25-20 victory.

Kentrail Moran

The University of Illinois recruit broke out in a big way Friday, rolling up a career-high 294 yards rushing along with four touchdowns in O’Fallon’s 42-7 Southwestern Conference win over Alton.

Sean Rickey

Rickey scored seven goals in five games of the CYC/Bob Guelker Tournament to lead the Eagles to the championship in the Msgr. Larry Walsh Division. Rickey scored three goals in a 7-0 victory in pool play over Triad on Thursday, then had two goals in a 3-2 victory over Ladue in the championship game Saturday afternoon at St. Louis Soccer Park in Fenton, Mo.

Colin Schuetz

Schuetz made a splash at the annual Milk Bowl game with Central as he led the Knights to a 34-14 win. Schuetz rushed for 79 yards on 12 carries and scored on runs of three, 15 and 25 yards. Scheuetz was also 13-of-22 for 188 yards and two touchdowns

Elise Smith

The talented sophomore helped O’Fallon (17-1) knock off previously unbeaten Belleville West 25-22, 27-25 last week with a team-high nine kills. Smith (142 kills) and junior Imani Williamson (107 kills) have been strong at the net all season for the Panthers.

Jeff Thomas

The top junior wide receiver in the state, Thomas was one of the few bright spots in the Flyers 35-26 loss to Belleville West. Thomas caught four passes for 154 yards, including scoring passes of 82 and 60 yards from quarterback Reyondus Estes.

Joseph Wolf

Wolf was razor-sharp Friday in a wild 42-41 overtime win over Cahokia Conference rival Red Bud. He completed 15-of-19 passes for 253 yards and four TDs, including the game-winner in OT to Will Hogan, as the Midgets improved to 3-2.

This story was originally published September 28, 2015 at 11:42 AM with the headline "Game Balls: Top high school sports performances."